Press Releases

Today, Representative Jack Bergman joined with Michigan State Senator Ed McBroom and State Representative Greg Markkanen in sending a letter to the CEO of Aspirus Health, demanding answers and accountability for the closure of Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital.

The lawmakers wrote, “In September of 2021, Aspirus announced it would construct a new $15.8 million facility to replace the current hospital, to include inpatient and observation beds, an emergency department, and other services. As part of this announcement, then-hospital CAO Dylan Taylor touted Aspirus’s 'commitment to the Ontonagon community' in providing residents 'with a modern facility to meet the primary and emergent care needs of those we serve into the future'. As recently as March of 2022 Aspirus put out a press release saying that plans for the new hospital were being finalized – although it appears that this release is no longer available to view on Aspirus Health’s website.

“It seems the plan to invest in a new facility was quietly abandoned in favor of closing hospital services altogether.

“The most concerning aspect of this announcement is the closure of emergency room operations. Even without full inpatient care, rural emergency rooms are essential for quickly treating and stabilizing patients before they are transferred to a larger facility. Ontonagon Hospital hosts the only ER in Ontonagon County – the third largest county in the state. Closure of the Ontonagon ER will have very real consequences and could directly endanger the lives of Michiganders.”

The letter continued, “Additionally, while the hospital is located in a small rural community, there is significant need for emergency health care in the area. Ontonagon County is home to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, which hosts more than 300,000 visitors per year. The White Pine North copper mine project is also rapidly approaching approval by the State of Michigan – adding additional need for emergency health care capacity.

“We are also concerned that there was seemingly no communication or consultation with members of the community or local leaders prior to the closure being announced. In fact, several local elected officials were directly told before the announcement that no changes to the facility would be made.

“While we appreciate your stated commitment to the Upper Peninsula, this decision and the way it has been handled with the public seriously call that into question.”

Read the full letter here.